Saturday, 19 October 2013

Both ends of Portland.

Sunny spells, 18º, light to mod W & S.

Land migrants very thin on the ground today at the bill, a few Chiffchaff & Song Thrush, 2 Blackcap and a Stonechat around and an early morning movement of small numbers of Redwing & Song Thrush but little else.

A ♀ Sparrowhawk and a ♂ Merlin hunting over the bill early morning and a ♀ Merlin and a Buzzard seen later in the day along with around 4 Kestrel.

A large flock of 70+ Linnet, also several Goldfinch, Meadow Pipit and Skylarks constantly evading the marauding raptors.

The sea had some activity today with a couple of Balearic Shearwater, several Common Scoter, a Great Skua, a Great-crested Grebe and several Gannet.

A trip to Ferry Bridge at the other end of the island found 600+ Brent Geese, 1 Black Brant and a at least 5 Pale-bellied Brents. Also a small flock of Turnstone, some Ring Plover, 10 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Oystercatcher and good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Sandwich Tern flew west along Chesil beach.

The day ended with a Barn Owl hunting in the evening sun over the fields between the Obs and the West cliffs.

A Painted Lady butterfly seen in the top fields.

Buzzard
  Barn Owl
  Brent Geese at Ferrybridge
Brent Geese disappearing along the Fleet

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